3 Tips for Online Time

Ok, so that "challenge" isn't real, but the fact that parents need to be watching their kids online definitely is. Banning media and certain websites will not work. Why? Because the internet is constantly evolving and changing and let's face it, technology will play a significant role in the way they learn and communicate in their futures. Here are the three things that I am doing to help my kids understand how to use technology.

1) Give time limits and stick to them. At first, I was letting my nine-year-old use her i-device whenever she completed the things I needed her to finish, almost like a reward. When she started always choosing that reward, I decided I was doing things wrong. I really didn't like the idea of her not wanting to do all of the things that make being a kid fun! So we talked about it. A lot. At first, I took away all tech, cold turkey. It wasn't fun for her, and she felt like she was the "only one" who couldn't use it. After a little while, she remembered that she loves to read and color and play hide and seek with her brother, and I remembered how little she is. Now she is allowed to use a device for more random spurts of time. Sometimes I let her use it for 5 minutes, but sometimes she can play a game or watch a slime tutorial for 20 minutes. I try not to let it be longer than that.

2) You do NOT have to stand over their shoulders, but you do need to be present. Make sure your kids are somewhere you can see and hear them while they are spending time online. Check in on them, and ask them what they are doing. If your kid has a favorite Youtuber, you should know who it is. If your kids like to play a particular game, try it too. Let your kids know you are interested in what they find interesting! When you do this, they are more likely to share things with you as they get older.

3) Have a real talk about what it is to be safe online. An offshoot of the stranger danger talk is the online safety talk. Chatting is an option on nearly every site our kids are using today. Please tell your kids how important it is never to give information about themselves to anyone online. However, let them know that if they do make a mistake, they can tell you. The last thing you want them to do is to keep a secret that could harm them. Let them know that if they see or hear something they don't understand, YOU are available to help them and that you won't be mad at them for telling you.

Our kids navigate tough stuff every day. They are bombarded with things that a lot of us didn't have to deal with when we were little. The most important thing that any of us can do for our kids is to communicate with them, on their level, consistently. Play, talk, read, sing, build and every once in a while, watch that cool new unboxing video.

KB Whirly- Now That We're Home

Singer-Songwriter KB Whirly has been a long time favorite in my house. I am super excited that he released his new album, Now That We're Home, last week. This album is the sweetest compilation of lullabies that celebrate the love of family. In fact, KB wrote these songs as love letters to his daughter. Now That We’re Home is available at iTunes, Amazon and CDBaby. More about KB Whirly can be found at kbwhirly.com.

Magical Encounters Freehold, NJ

Get Hoppy at Magical Encounters

You NEED to book your appointment to see everyone's favorite bunny this Easter at Magical Encounters in Freehold, NJ. This unique, VIP photography experience starts as soon as you walk through the door. The studio is decked out in everything Spring, and right from the start, your kids will know that you took them someplace really special. I don't want to give away too many of the surprises, but even the entry to the bunny's forest is pretty spectacular!

Each visit is customized to meet the needs of the client, so right from the start, your kids will feel comfortable and ready to say cheese. The staff was so patient with my son, who was more than a little nervous at first. I can't think of anything better than an exclusive Easter Bunny visit away from the crowds and lines at the mall. Magical Encounters also hosts Santa himself for the holiday season. You can book your magical visit on their website today!

(Hey Grandparents, Aunts, and Uncles, This would also make the perfect experience gift for the special kids in your life.)

Rooftop Skating

Looking for some February fun? Check out The Rooftop at Pier 17 Winterland in the Seaport. It is the only rooftop ice skating in NY, and the view of the Brooklyn Bridge and Empire State Building is simply spectacular.

The rink is adorable and well maintained. It isn't too big, so you can even watch your big kids skate from the sidelines if you don't feel like skating yourself. There is the coziest little restaurant called The Tank and a warming hut for drinks and snacks. The staff could not have been friendlier when we were there!

Their peak time pricing is $25 for a skating window and skate rental, and I recommend getting your tickets from their website ahead of time. Check out the link above.

Hope you have as much fun as we did!

PS. Up the street, there are a bunch of great places to eat, including a Taco Igloo and Big Gay Ice Cream. There is also the cutest little store, lee lee's forest.

This place is sure to chase the winter blues away!

Spectacular Holiday Lights

My apologies for this boring title. Honestly, it's all I can come up with after getting home from the last of our holiday light display adventures WAAAY too late last night. Driving all over the place to seek out the best lights is one of my favorite holiday memories. Next to being zipped up in a tent together, trapping them in the car with me for hours is the next best thing!

So without further ado, here is a list of our favorites from this year. They are in no particular order, and we loved all of them.

*(If you scroll all the way down near the bottom of this page, you can see the displays we loved last year too. They are all still up and running, and they are all still awesome!)*

Long Island

The Ronkonkoma Gingerbread House-

We loved this place so much; we went back this year. You can walk through this interactive display, and all of the money goes to the Autism Society of America. 135 N Huron St. Ronkonkoma, NY 11779

Oconee Diner-

This is the "Rolf's" of Long Island in my opinion. Every single square foot of this diner is holiday ready. The food was great too! These lights are up until Little Christmas (Jan. 6th). 749 Main St., Islip

Heide Family Lights-

This family has more blow molds than we have EVER seen in our combined, whole lives. Four hundred thirty-six of them to be exact. I will never forget this display! 2509 Yale Place, Merrick, NY

Brooklyn, Rockaway Park, and Staten Island

The Little North Pole

This house was a big winner on ABC's Great Christmas Light Fight this year. Their display is incredible, but I can't hide my disappointment with the fact that I didn't get to see their trophy. I really wanted to see that trophy! What I did get to see is that they donated their entire $50,000 winnings to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Over the last 20 years, they've managed to raise more than 1 million dollars for the cause. I guess I will get over the trophy situation. Bonus, this display is at the beach! 144th Neponsit Ave; New York, New York 11694

Lights For Life- The DiMartino Family

This house, for me, was the best this year. Joe DiMartino lost his wife in 9/11 and creates this display each year to remember her. He has also raised more than $250,000 for Nalitt Institute's Outpatient Children's Cancer Unit at Staten Island University Hospital in Ocean Breeze since he began this holiday tradition. This walkthrough display is breathtaking. It even snows! 107 Sharrotts Rd. in Charleston

Dyker Heights lights- More information in last years post at the bottom of this page. Pennsylvania

ShadyBrook Farm

Have you ever taken a wagon ride through an illuminated forest? Well, last night was my first time, and I LOVED IT! You can either choose to drive through this 2-mile display, or you can get pulled in a wagon. Definitely pick the wagon. There was a candy cane forest, the 12 days of Christmas, sights from all around the world, and giant illuminated cartoon characters. My son jumped out of his seat the entire time. At the end of the display, there are a bunch of fire pits for s'more making and "the best cheeseburgers ever" (although we may have been starving). 931 Stony Hill Rd., Yardley, PA 19067

Light Up a Life- Acteon Networks

Every year Jack Yoast and his team put up a HUGE display at his home. You can walk through this ENORMOUS display, and it is just phenomenal. Everything seemed animated in their yard, and the little scenes they've created were beyond spectacular. They are raising money for Beds for Kids and the Montgomery County chapter of the Pennsylvania Special Olympics. 1320 E. Butler Pike, Ambler, PA 19002

New Jersey

Ice Caverns

We've always loved the Ice Caverns at Fairfield Garden Center. This display has been around for more than 40 years, and it is a special holiday stop for my family. It is an indoor, walk-through display that you shouldn't miss!

Route 46 West in Fairfield, NJ

The Christmas Light Show and Village at Skylands Stadium

This show is open for its fifth year! We didn't get to go this year, but we've been in the past and have always had a blast. There are more than two million dazzling lights on a mile long drive-through course and an outdoor village, with skating and more!

94 Championship Place, Augusta, NJ 07822

And last, our daily light spot in Hasbrouck Heights, NJ!

We've loved looking at the lights at the corner of Henry Street and Burton Ave. in Hasbrouck Heights after school almost every single day. So it would be weird for me to leave them off this list. I have no idea what the story is behind this display, but there is just SO much to see. The people that live there probably think I am nuts because we get out of the car and walk around each time.

They are probably right!!

Anyway, there were tons of other standout displays along the way, and we loved seeing them all. There is something so special about people who go out of their way to illuminate special holiday memories for other people. I am thankful to everyone who helped to create these special moments for my family. Merry Christmas!

A Very Philly Christmas

There are SO many things to do in Philadelphia to celebrate this holiday season. It was 100% worth it to take the trip from the NYC area to enjoy it all.

The Historic Homes at Fairmount Park- 5 of the historic homes in Fairmount Park are welcoming visitors this holiday season and have been doing so for 47 years! Their theme this year is "A Very Philly Christmas," and the beautiful decorations and events celebrate all that this fantastic city has to offer. Special event days are happening throughout December, but this weekend you can check out the Ice Bar and meet Cheese Gritty at Lemon Hill.

holidaysinthepark.com

Franklin Square Holiday Festival- I LOVED this event. We had a blast playing Philly Mini Golf and taking a ride on the Parx Liberty Carousel. I had no idea that those things are always there! For the holidays, the entire park is aglow for the Electrical Spectacle presented by PECO. More than 75,000 lights dance to holiday music every 30 minutes. On certain days you can take a ride on the Lightning Bolt Holiday Express Train, meet Santa or the Grinch, watch the Nutcracker and more. There is a delightful Winter Beer Garden and food for purchase by Ben's Sweets & Treats and SquareBurger. I am totally making a visit to this festival a new holiday tradition for my family. historicphiladelphia.org/holidays

The Christmas Village at LOVE Park- This is a true German Market in the center of Philadelphia! Vendors in about 80 different booths sell carefully curated crafts, ornaments, jewelry, and gifts. We loved strolling around and sampling all of the delicious foods and beverages as we finished holiday shopping. Santa is always there, and they are hosting all kinds of special events for families throughout December. It is all definitely worth checking out! (Bonus: There is the cutest ice skating rink right across the street in Dilworth Park, and you can't forget to check out the Philly Holiday Tree around the corner. My kids LOVED it!) http://www.philachristmas.com

Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest- This place is an absolute winter wonderland! Located right along the Delaware River, this chalet inspired lodge manages to be warm, cozy and fun even when it is freezing outside. There is a large outdoor seating area complete with fire pits and warming cabins as well as a kids’ lodge with arcade games and more. Winterfest is offering all kinds of special events until the season ends in March. So if you can't get down to Philly before Christmas, you can still enjoy this event. http://www.delawareriverwaterfront.com/places/blue-cross-riverrink-winterfest

There are so many other things to do in Philadelphia this holiday season. If only we could've packed it all into one day! If you are looking for a holiday getaway that isn't too far away, this is the perfect trip to make with your family.

Monster's Ball is an all-out dance party!! From start to finish, your little ones will be dancing to these catchy tunes. Some of our favorites are classic songs redone to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Rockness Music. Without getting too sappy, these songs have been a big part of my children's lives, and I hope they will be for yours also! Check out more from the Rockness Monsters at http://www.michaelandtherocknessmonsters.com/monsters-ball/

See you at the party!

The Museum of Illusions NYC

You won't believe your eyes at the Museum of Illusions in NYC!

We had the best night learning and playing in this two-floor museum. Set inside an old bank in Chelsea, we spent a full two hours exploring the coolest "mind tricks" and optical illusions.

Some highlights for us were:

The Infinity Room- Where a few mirrors work together to create an infinite amount of reflections.

The Ames Room- This room was tilted and created the illusion of shrinking as we moved from one side to the other. We laughed our faces off in this room until we were practically carried out by a group waiting their turn.

The Rotating Room- This room made it look like you were walking on the walls and ceiling in pictures.

We had a blast with it. We loved how we were welcome to laugh out loud and take pictures and touch things here. The Museum of Illusions is one of the best hands on museums we've been to together, and I highly recommend it for any age. This museum has been around in Europe for years, so we feel so lucky to have the first one in North America call our favorite city home. Check it out soon!

Music and Laughs- These are a few of my favorite things!

Fall is in full swing, and school is losing that "new shoes" feeling. We are always on the hunt for fun after-school activities – and love to try new things, like piano lessons!

PianoPiano is the number one piano rental service in New York City. Since 1975, PianoPiano has been renting new and like-new, high-quality pianos sourced from around the world, both to professionals and junior pianists at all ages and skill levels. Whether kids are just starting out, or have played for years, Sarah Binder Mehta, piano expert and President of PianoPiano, has shared her top five tips for keeping children interested in playing the piano year-round.

Sarah’s suggestions are:

1) Get your child excited about piano – take them to piano concerts, show them how a piano works and make sure they’re learning songs they’re familiar with.

2) Participate in their practice – sit with them and listen to them practicing, encourage them and ask them to show you what they’ve learned.

3) Give them lots of opportunities to perform – sign up for open recitals or let them put on a show in the living room for family and friends! The more positive reinforcement they receive, the more they’ll want to play.

4) Get them a real piano! Teachers know that having a real acoustic piano makes students take the piano more seriously, and it allows them to progress faster as well.

5) Encourage them to play at any time of day – if your child is showing interest in the piano, let them sit and play. Worried about noise? You can have a silent system installed in your piano so they can play anytime without disturbing others in the home. Doesn't get any better than that!

Do you have a budding comedian at your house?? You should get them involved in Kids 'N Comedy classes at the Gotham Comedy Club! They already started (sorry, I am late to the party), but they have a monthly public comedy show for kids ages 9+ , families, and the general public.

FALL SHOW SCHEDULE: Monthly on Sundays at 1 PM

October 28 "THE TERRIFIED OF EVERYTHING HALLOWEEN SHOW"

November 18 "THANKS, I GUESS?"

December 16 “CHRISTMAKWANZUKAH"

Fall Fun at Howe Caverns

A visit to Howe Caverns is the perfect adventure 150 ft. below the Earth's surface. My family took the Traditional Tour, but they offer experiences for all ages and adventure levels. Our 90-minute tour began with meeting Lester Howe and learning all about how he discovered this series of underground caves. After that, we got to spend 45 minutes exploring the caverns. It was chilly, so make sure you bring a jacket! Our guide was hilarious, and we all loved his stories. We liked the boat tour down the River of Styx best of all. My kids were so impressed with this place that they didn't even complain about walking (trust me, that is a miracle). A Howe Caverns visit is entirely a "worth it" trip all by itself, but it would also be a perfect stop if you are headed to a fall getaway in Niagara Falls or even Cooperstown.

Visit https://howecaverns.com/history/ to learn more about the history behind this "rocking" spot!

Now Boarding: DS DestiNY @Cipriani 25 Broadway NY, NY

I jumped on the chance to preview the new D.S. DestiNY multimedia experience in the Financial District as soon as I found out about it. I have been a long time fan of everything The Moment Factory puts together since seeing their work in Montreal, and I knew that with Cipriani involved it was bound to be amazing. The stunning backdrop of the show is the historic Cunard Building. Just being inside of that gorgeous landmark may have been enough to take my breath away, but the multimedia and video mapping technology used breathed the whole place to new life. Upon entering you are given a pass to board the D.S. Destiny (fun fact, The Cunard Building used to be the home of the Cunard Steamship Line.) This pass allows you to activate different Dream Portals and interact with the preshow. After that, you are entirely immersed in a magical journey through time and history that highlights all that our beloved city is, was and will be. It highlights love and diversity through music, sights, and sound and envelopes you in magic. You need to see it, but hurry! Tickets are only available until January.

(Hey! After that, head across the street to see the Charging Bull and take a walk down to Battery Park to ride the Seaglass Carousel. You can walk up to my favorite Stone St. restaurant, Mad Dog and Beans. Trust me; this day will not disappoint you!!)

Candytopia NYC is here!!

We had the sweetest time at the Grand Opening of Candytopia in Midtown today. This Pop-Up museum turns candy into art and is 100% fun for everyone. If swimming in a giant marshmallow pool or having a pig toot confetti on you isn't on your bucket list, you need to add it. Hurry though, tickets are going fast, and they are only open until November 15th.

Fall Getaway- The Emerson Resort and Spa

Despite my best efforts, summer is slipping away quickly. Soon everyone will be back in school and busy with drop-offs, pickups, lessons, practices, and schedules.

It seems like the perfect time to plan a fall getaway!

The Emerson Resort and Spa is the perfect place to spend time with your loved ones. Tucked away in the Catskill Mountains (under two hours from Manhattan), this place manages to be equal parts rustic and luxurious. Their spa (I want to move in) and Woodnotes Grille restaurant (the best chicken sandwich I ever had) are top notch, and I wanted to buy every single thing at their vast assortment of resort shops.

However, the real winner for me here is the number of activities they offer families through their Emerson Amusements packages. My kids enjoyed the most beautiful nature hike/scavenger hunt along the Esopus Creek, fishing, and watercolor painting class all located on site.

The Emerson is also home to the world's largest kaleidoscope. You don't have to be a guest at the hotel to enjoy a psychedelic show inside of it, but do be a guest. With multiple accommodation styles, you will be sure to find the perfect, beautiful space for your family to escape the "busy-ness" of back to school. Guess what? The resort is even dog-friendly!

The Emerson has quickly become one of my most treasured places, and a favorite upstate stop for family days out. I know that you will love any amount of time you spend here.

Planning even further ahead? The Emerson Resort and Spa offers special activities for the holiday season and is located super close to some great skiing.

PS. There is currently a “book two midweek nights get the third night free” offer on their website to take advantage of leaf peeping season!

https://emersonresort.com/

SUBJECTS THROUGH THE SUMMER

I always use summer as a time to really take inventory of all of the amazing ways my children have learned and grown over the past school year. I don’t know about you, but I see the biggest changes in them during the warmer months when we are all less stressed and ready for fun.

Every week this summer I will add to my list of the best learning “field trips” you can take with your own little buddies this summer.

Beach Reads

I wanted to write about great beach read choices back in May, but time just flew by. So here we are, this is my list of some new titles for you to enjoy with your kids this summer (and one that is just for you too).

Kitty’s Magic by Ella Moonheart

The main character in this story is super allergic to cats, so it is the craziest twist that she turns into one! We loved the first book in this series and can’t wait to see what happens to Kitty next. Plus, my daughter loved the fact sheet about cats.

Bad Mermaids Make Waves by Sibeal Pounder

Who doesn’t want to be a mermaid these days? This book makes the perfect beachy read for your young middle schooler. It is a fun story loaded with girl power and adventure.

You Are Mighty- A Guide to Changing the World by Caroline Paul

If you are raising a young activist who is wondering how to make their mark on this world, this is the perfect guidebook for them. No matter what their passion is, this book will provide them with the ideal DIY activity and motivational story to propel them in the right direction.

Perfectly Norman by Tom Percival

This is a story about finding your wings and using them to fly your way. We loved this picture book and have read it a couple of dozen times now. There is a great moral about loving yourself and being proud of who you are. Read this one out loud together.

For the Adults- (Well, if you ever get actually to read on the beach.)

The Water is Wide by Natalie Banks

I couldn’t put this one down. It was light and fun enough to take to the beach, but also exciting and emotional enough to draw in your attention the entire time. Main character Sarah Avery finds herself in Wilmington, NC after losing her husband in a horrific accident. She tries to live a normal life but can’t get past what happened in her past. One day someone shows up in her life and turns everything upside down in the craziest way possible.

If you love mysteries and love stories, pick this one up. I believe that this story could be the next “Notebook.”

All of these titles are available on www.amazon.com!

That Chemistry Show

Whatever the weather, That Chemistry Show is the perfect way to get your summer brains going.

The show is 75 minutes of fast-paced, thought-provoking science fun. Even better, "mad scientist" Borislaw Bilash is an educator with over 30 years of experience, so you know you are watching something legit.

In his series of engaging demonstrations, Bilash and his cast of characters use the magic of chemistry to explain all kinds of ordinary and not so ordinary daily occurrences. Kids and adults alike will be in awe of seeing the genie in a bottle and (our favorite) elephant toothpaste. My daughter especially loved the audience participation segment at the end of the show (I got to be on stage)!

Anyway, everything about this show makes it perfect for a family outing. There is not a bad seat in the house, and it is priced entirely right. The website lists this show for ages 6-99, so I left my four-year-old home for this one, but so many times I felt guilty because I think he would've loved it. If you have inquisitive kids who like to laugh and learn about the world around them, then this is the show for you.

Music, Theater, Language Arts- Wicked Frozen

If your "little" one is a little over Frozen and a fan of Wicked, they are totally ready for a special night out to see Wicked Frozen.

Despite being listed as a PG-13 show, my eight-year-old loved this one (honestly, the four-year-old did too).

This musical mash-up opens up with Kristin Chenobell returning to Boston to teach. She is super excited to be in charge of the Drama Club, but only one student shows up for the meeting: Adele Dazeem. Adele is quirky and hilarious as she quickly convinces her new teacher to read her original story, Wicked Frozen. The stage becomes "Shitz University" (I guess that the PG-13 part), where Elsaba and Glindanna battle the villain, Cli-MAH-te Chan-Je, together.

With song titles like "Scandinorfinland" and "Don't Hold On" your savvy kids will knowingly side eye you as they begin to understand how satire can be so funny when it is done right, and let me tell you, this show gets it right.

I have to say this is one of funniest shows I've seen. I apologize to everyone who was around me as I "snort laughed" about ten times. With or without the kids, you will love this one!

Gulliver’s Gate- Did you know that you can show your children the whole world from Time’s Square? Gulliver’s Gate had been on my radar for a while, but I finally got to go for a visit a few weeks ago. Let me tell you; it was worth the wait!

Named after Jonathon Swift’s Gulliver’s Travels, Gulliver's Gate is an interactive, miniature replication of our world. It is 49,000 square feet of mini model fun and includes 50 nations. When you first arrive, you are given an RFID key that allows you to control a variety of the displays. The first scene is New York City, and it was my favorite part. It took 16 model makers 358 days to create it. Every city landmark I could think of was included, but my kids really loved the Macy’s parade part. You can even see yourself on a mini Time’s Square billboard.

After you leave the city, you’ll visit Niagara Falls and the countryside before being transported overseas to Europe. The HO 1:87 scale model of the Eifel Tower just blew my mind! It was so impressive and detailed. In fact, each scene was so intricate that it took every bit of a full two hours to see it all. I have a feeling I could go back and still notice new things in the display.

The attraction also incorporates a full-body scanner and 3D printer to enable visitors to make miniature versions of themselves that can be taken home as a souvenir, or left behind as a permanent “model citizen” of Gulliver’s Gate. There are about 100,000 people in the exhibit, some from iconic scenes like the Ghostbusters at the Empire State Building and the Beatles crossing Abbey Road. One of the most exciting things about this is that your kids can watch and talk to the actual designers as they work and the engineers as they monitor the small universe. They can see all of their STEAM classes coming together in one place. At the end of the display, we walked into a fully functioning airport that was made entirely by a 3D printer. This was the shining star for my 3-year-old!

Most importantly, this place leaves you with the overwhelming sense that we are all a lot closer in this world than we think. It is a joyful celebration of what makes us unique and what brings us all together. It is incredible to think about the impact each of us can have on our planet, and it is even more amazing to share that feeling with your kids.

VOLTA by Cirque Du Soleil

I've been harping on about "rewriting your stars" for about a month now. The Greatest Showman has become the new Frozen in my house. When a big top tent arrived at the Meadowland's Racing and Entertainment in East Rutherford, I knew we had to see what was going on inside of it.

The VOLTA set has an absolute life of its own, and from the moment you take your seat, you know you are about to see something special. The audience has a 240-degree view of the stage, so there is not a bad seat in the house (this is pretty important when you're taking little kids somewhere).

The show opens with wild acrobatic rope skipping, and my kids sat in stunned, wide-eyed, silence from that point on. The performers fly through the air and backflip all over the place the entire time. In fact, there is no downtime (except for the 25-minute intermission). The lighting and music are gorgeous, and draw you into the show. The costumes are total perfection.

We would've been content just to see the oh so bendy acrobats, and performers do their thing, but Volta is so much more than that.

The show tells a story of transformation and self-discovery. Waz, the main character, is unique and continuously judged by others. He enters a game show in search of acceptance and freedom, but what he learns is that those things come from inside. In the end, he learns to accept himself for who he is, and that's a message that every parent (or not) can get behind.

My son was too little to understand the plot, but it hit my daughter perfectly. In fact, no one is too young or old for this show. It is a magnificent and engaging experience for everyone. I watched grown-ups totally lose it as the artists perfectly executed their stunts. I don't even want to tell you too much about what those stunts are because the element of surprise might indeed be the best part of the entire thing.

VOLTA by Cirque Du Soleil is running in the Meadowlands until May 6th. After that, it will head over to Uniondale, NY, so you still have time to check it out.

Seriously go. I am confident you will be as captivated as I was.

National Geographic Encounter: Ocean Odyssey

When I was about eight years old and living in the desert, I dreamed of being a Marine Biologist one day. A few years later, I moved to the East Coast and learned that boats make me vomit and that I am also pretty scared of the ocean.

National Geographic Encounter: Ocean Odyssey is the perfect solution! It is an entirely immersive experience that sends you on an unbelievable undersea journey from the South Pacific all the way to the coast of California. Grammy and Emmy Award-winning artists use digital technology to put you face to face with the most fantastic sea creatures. Let me tell you, this place is NOT a museum or an aquarium. It is something uniquely its own, and I have never seen anything like it.

Despite being a crowded Saturday, this place was super organized. We were led through the experience in a small, spaced out group. As soon as my family reached the first room, I knew this was going to be something special. It was floor to ceiling ocean! The absolute feeling of wonder was not just for the kids. Part of the tour was a bioluminescence room, and it was by far my favorite. The entire place glowed around us, and my three-year-old couldn't get enough of the floor responding to his every movement. Ever wonder what it would sound like at the bottom of the ocean in the pitch black of the night?? Yeah, that is the stuff nightmares are made of for me, but I got to hear it here from the safety of land. I was awestruck.

We got up close with more species of animals than I can count, including 20-foot long sharks, a 50-foot Humpback whale, interactive sea lions, and a pair of battling Humboldt squids which were not shy about showing us all 40,000 of their razor sharp teeth (shudder). We journeyed through a coral reef, and I found out that it was made up of 1,300 photos taken in the Solomon Islands. In the magnificent bait ball scene, 120,000 fish made an appearance all around us.

Once we came up for air, we got to learn about our experience in Exploration Hall. We pledged to take action to make a difference in ocean conservation. Through a series of multimedia screens, real-life marine biologists shared their passion for the ocean with us. We also got to take a picture that was on their Times Square billboard!

A portion of the proceeds from each ticket purchase at National Geographic Encounter helps to support National Geographic Society’s nonprofit work in conservation, exploration, research, and education. It is well worth it. To learn more about what they do, visit www.natgeo.com/info.

This adventure is one that my family won't soon forget, and I am pretty excited about the fact that I didn't even need to take a Dramamine to share it with them. We loved every part of it. If you are itching to do something you've never done before, you need to check this place out.

Events that are too good not to share =)

Tú Eres Mi Flor is a beautiful an album of well-known American folk songs sung in Spanish. Both Spanish- and English-speaking children will have a blast singing along to these jams. My favorite is Three Little Birds. This dynamic duo believes that music is a language enjoyed by all, I agree!

4/22 - Hopalong Andrew at the Jewish Museum! Special Earth Day Show https://thejewishmuseum.org/calendar/events/2018/04/22/family-concert-hopalong-andrew-042218

See Hopalong Andrew at an all-ages Earth Day performance at The Jewish Museum on April 22, 2018. He is "city folk meets cowboy life" and so much fun. Rumor has it he can even lasso a cab!

4/29- Billy Kelly's Family Comedy Show at the Jalopy in Brooklynhttp://shop.jalopytheatre.org/category-s/100.htm

Grammy-nominated artist Billy Kelly is coming to the city to perform a family-friendly acoustic show that the entire family will think is hilarious. My friends at Zooglobble have called him the “Funniest Person In Kids Music." See for yourself!

The Story Pirates are stopping by Northern New Jersey. I've already talked about how much I love them, and they are making their way to Bergen PAC on 4/28. Join them at 1 pm or 3 pm. This show is an absolute must-see! http://www.storypirates.com/buy-tickets

Easter Treats Too Sweet to Eat

Get this shirt at www.talkformetees.com

I’ve mentioned it before, but my son has multiple food allergies that make Easter and other “traditionally candy” days a little tricky. I’ve gotten good at finding him treats that are non-food related, but it took some practice at first. Here is a list of my top five Easter treats and some links where you can make them your own.

1) My kids love anything that hatches out of an egg. Brody carries the thing around in a mason jar until it comes out and gets so excited about it. I found these cute chicks here:

2) Eggnots make coloring Easter eggs safe for people who are allergic or vegan. They are realistic and last forever! Your kids will be able to gift them to people or save them year to year. Even better, you won't have that stinky egg smell in your fridge. You can find them here:

http://www.eggnots.com

3) Don't hate me, SLIME eggs. If you've ever scrubbed slime out of the carpet before, you know how annoying it is. They love it though!

5) Lastly, you need to check out my friends at www.talkformetees.com! They sell the most stylish little t-shirts that empower kids (and their grownups) to advocate for themselves and their food allergies. That all sounds super serious, and it is, but you need to see how seriously cute these t's are. They have also created stuffed service dogs that are flying off their site! They are too sweet, and the perfect little Easter gift. This week we are partnered up and giving away a $25 gift certificate to their website. To get your name in the random drawing, all you have to do is visit one of our social media sites for details. Mine are linked above!

Facebook: Talk For Me Tees

Instagram: @foodallergytee

Twitter:@TalkForMeTees

Beaches Baby

Sun setting on Day One

I’ve been trying to figure out how to sum up the feelings I have about my favorite place on Earth; I’ll do the best I can…

Dan and I went on our honeymoon to Cabo, and a series of bizarre events lead to us redoing the whole thing in Jamaica. I firmly believe that everything happens for a reason, and this situation was no different. We fell in love with the island on that trip, and we’ve been coming back to visit ever since.

Our first trip there with 17-month-old Chloe brought us to Beaches in Ocho Rios, and we found our perfect getaway. They tell us we are “Jamericans” now, and I feel it. The warmth of the island is all around you from the minute you step off the plane. This is why we've chosen to bring our kids back again and again. Each vacation here has that same familiar feel, but is filled with unique moments. Maybe the best part is that you can customize the exact trip each member of your family needs all in one place.

The resort itself is small, private, beautiful, clean and comfortable. It is the perfect place to have “no worries” about strollers and lugging things around for miles. No matter where your room is, it will be close to one of the three pools or beach. There are seven restaurants, and one of them is always open. The chefs personally greet my food allergic son, and I will never be able to adequately express how much this means to me (without crying enormous tears of gratitude). There are also six bars that are always available for smoothies, shakes, cocktails and exclusive mocktails for the even the littlest of guests. (Shout out to Henry who makes the best signature drink!)

The entertainment staff is amazing. They work so incredibly hard to ensure that everyone is having fun. Every night they offer a Sesame Street show for the little ones and a family show in the evening. We always book a character bedtime tuck in for one of the nights that we are there.

A top-rated kids camp is available, but little guests are welcome to drop in for specific activities. Mine love making tie-dye shirts by the pool and baking cookies with Cookie Monster. Other amenities include a water park, lawn games, and tennis/basketball courts. There is also a craft studio and x box lounge. The Red Lane Spa offers all types of services, but I love their facials. The beach has everything from comfortable water hammocks to water sports. You can be just as relaxed or adventurous as you choose to be.

If you are looking for a spectacular place to spend time with your family, this is my #1. I can’t wait to visit my island home away from home again.

http://www.beaches.com

Come back next week to take a look at my favorite island excursions!

In the meantime, you can check out www.islandroutes.com. We use them for all of our bookings, and they do an excellent job of keeping everything organized and comfortable for their guests!

Spring is on the way, but Broadway is FROZEN!

I spent most of 2013 with the WORST all day long morning sickness. This presented me with a slew of issues, but the worst was I wasn't able to do as much for my (then) four-year-old as I was used to doing. This seriously broke my heart. Enter Frozen.

I remember having a particularly horrendous day of sick. Dan and I decided we'd take Chloe to see the new movie that everyone was talking about. At the least, I figured we'd be spending time together, and I wouldn't have to speak through nausea.

Anyway, we all loved it. Of course, I hormonally cried my face off thinking about the unconditional bond of family, and we all enjoyed the songs and characters. Chloe and I went to see the movie at least two more times after that. I am pretty sure that Elsa and Anna got us through the rest of my pregnancy! After many of our own kitchen performances, I told Chloe that we'd see it on Broadway one day. Last weekend I finally got to keep my promise to her!

Frozen is currently in previews at the St. James Theatre. All of the original songs are there with the addition of more than ten new ones. They're pretty great, but I will admit I was partial to the ones I already knew. The first half of the show was way darker than I expected it to be but very similar to the movie. The only real difference was that the family doesn't visit trolls, but "Hidden Folk" (who dressed and acted very much like the movie trolls) come to see them instead. The first act closes with "Let it Go" and is one of the best parts of the show. The smile on my daughter's face made the whole day for me. (Full disclosure: She claimed to be too old for Frozen on the way to the theatre. She was not.)

The second act was pretty different. It opened with a sort of weird "nude" kickline at the Wandering Oaken's. It was funny but oddly placed in the story. There is no snow monster scene, but instead, a scene where Elsa sings about being a "Monster". I liked the song, but the message of her feeling tortured by herself is repeated a few too many times for the younger crowd that happened to be EVERYWHERE (and in costume) at the show. My favorite part was the new song "Colder by the Minute" where the very talented cast actually freezes in place before the big ending. Don't worry; I won't spoil it for you.

One thing I can say with certainty is the cast was terrific. The young Elsa and Anna were as phenomenal as the adults. The ensemble cast, including Sven and Olaf, was impressive. Their singing and dancing gave light and happiness to a story that could have come off as really dark and depressing. I would love to see if there are any changes to the production when it is through with previews. If they want to have me back, I wouldn't say no! (wink, wink!)

Frozen officially opens March 22, 2018

Happy Read Across America!

It's Read Across America Week! Reading out loud to your children is the single best way to make them better readers. When you read to your kids, you are exposing them to new vocabulary words and grammar patterns. Reading is not only a fun way to spend time together but a way to help your kids develop into more fluent, successful readers. Find a text that you both can relate to and use it as a gateway for meaningful conversation. Encourage them to make connections to books and to practice empathizing with characters. They will look forward to spending that time with you each day.

You can do the same thing with writing! Santa brought Chloe The Big Life Journal for Christmas this year. We finally got to it last month, and both fell in love. The Big Life Journal is a guided journal that allows children to develop a growth mindset. It encourages them to use the power of their minds and to recognize their own unique potential. Over the course of 26 weeks, you read through stories of people who persevere through challenges. Through a series of engaging, fun and meaningful prompts, kids write their way to better self-awareness. The journal even has the child choose a partner to write with (YOU)! We both love doing this. It is SO motivational and loaded with life lessons we can both appreciate. Check it out at the link above!

Things to do this President's Weekend

(I am having some crazy tech issues with my links!)

Saturday, February 17th-

The Queen's Botanical Garden is having their Lunar New Year Celebration. From 12-4, guests can celebrate the Year of the Dog with crafts, performances and a beautiful plant sale.

queensbotanical.org

This Saturday The Story Pirates are having their flagship show at The Pearl Theater. If you've never seen them, you really need to. The short of it is that these amazingly talented improv comedians take stories written by children and perform them as hilarious sketches. Going to these shows is seriously one of my favorite things to do with my family. We all laugh our faces off every single time. Guess what? You can use the code BORING for $10 tickets to their show!

http://www.storypirates.com/buy-tickets

Sunday, February 18th-

The super talented Falu (https://www.falumusic.com/music) is releasing her first album for kids this week. Falu's Bazaar is a musical journey that will take you through South Asian culture and beyond. It is seriously so much fun. What better way to celebrate than with a traditional Holi festival at Joe's Pub?? Get your tickets ($15) at https://joespub.publictheater.org/Tickets/Calendar/PlayDetailsCollection/Joes-Pub/2018/F/Falus-Bazaar/?SiteTheme=JoesPu=[

Joe's Pub- 425 Lafayette S., New York, NY

February 18th-February 24th-

Kid's Week at The Intrepid Museum- They have so much planned for this event, and the days are divided up by interest. The 18th and 19th are sports and games days, the 20th and 21st are arts and music days, and the 22nd-24th are dedicated to science and nature. Just take a look at their schedule to see what interests you!

https://www.intrepidmuseum.org/kidsweek#4

Monday, February 19th-

MEET ABE!!! WHAT?! I seriously love this. From 11-4 you can visit the Children's Museum at New-York Historical Society on the Upper West Side and hear about what life was like at the White House by President Lincoln portrayed by Howard Wright. Guess what?? There is even a teacher discount! (SCORE!!) Visit nyhistory.org/childrens-museum for all the details.

Michael and the Rockness Monsters will be performing a live show at The Woodland in Maplewood, NJ at 11:00. Their shows are brimming with energy and a nonstop party for parents and kids alike. We have been watching them perform since the beginning, and we are always impressed. You'll leave the show singing their incredibly catchy, fun tunes.

http://www.michaelandtherocknessmonsters.com

Coming up soon...

See The Pop-Ups at The Jewish Museum on February 25th! If you've never seen them before, you need to. Their high energy shows are hilarious, engaging and incredibly creative. Join the "Great Pretenders Club" today!

Do Your Ears Need a Hug??????

Well, I have a song for you!! If you're not already listening to Andrew and Polly, you really need to start. The duo also produces and hosts one of our favorite podcasts, Ear Snacks! Their newest song has arrived just in time for Valentine's Day. "Let My Love Open the Door" is the most impressive (my daughter's exact word) cover of Pete Townshend's 80's classic. This song has joined our family dance party rotation and is just perfect for celebrating the ones you love tonight. The world needs all the love it can get! Happy Valentine's Day!

#ALLKINDSOFLOVE

Valentine's Day is tomorrow, so I thought it was a good time to mention an app that I LOVE. Kids Listen is a grassroots organization that is dedicated to providing high-quality entertainment for kids and their families. There are more than 40podcasts in this organization, so there is something for everyone to enjoy! This week the group is cross-promoting member podcasts using the hashtag #allkindsoflove. Download the app today!

Valentines of the Non-Chocolate Kind

Valentine's Day is next week, and it is one of my favorite days of the year. I really love the idea of celebrating the people we love with little surprises! With my son having so many food allergies, I've had to get creative about how we celebrate in our house.

Here are 10 of my favorite examples of Non- Food Treats (and their matching puns) for your own kids or class parties!

10) We made tic tac toe boards for the class. OK, that's a lie... I ordered them on Groopdealz from Party On! Designs, and we cut them out to put in little bags. We included little X and O cutouts too! So cute!

Groopdealz has TONS of great things to buy every day! You should totally check them out if you haven't already. I basically order everything from their site! Party On! Designs also has their own website if you would like to check them out.

This Weekend Feb. 3-4th

Winter blues?? This weekend get out of the cold with a 2 for 1 NYC museum day! It is Must-See Week, and participating museums and tours are offering discounted tickets. https://www.nycgo.com/must-see-week

Skylands Stadium is holding their annual Frozen in Ice Wild West extravaganza all month long. It features 100 tons of frozen fun! Your family can brave two ice slides and work their way through the indoor ice maze. Try out a drink at the ice bar or grab a smores kit and head outside to the fire pits. http://skylandsstadium.com/frozen-in-ice-wild-west/

Scenery Dopplegangers

This is not a great picture. For whatever reason, the only pictures I have from that trip are of me stuffing my face with ice cream at the Ben and Jerrys factory!

So there is this excellent game that you can play online called Geoguessr. One of my students showed it to me, and I've been playing it with them for a few minutes each day. Basically, you are dropped off at a mystery location, and you have to guess where in the world you are by examining the 360-degree view around you. It is so much fun. It got me thinking, not only about how big our universe is but about how crazy it is that so many places have scenery doppelgangers.

Stowe, VT is one of those places. Lying between Mount Mansfield and the Green Mountains, Stowe could easily pass for Austria. Not that I've ever been to Austria, but the famous musical Von Trapp family (you know, Sound of Music?) settled here for just that reason in the 1940's. The place is just breathtaking. You can actually choose to stay at their family lodge if you visit. https://www.trappfamily.com

The area has a ton of locations to practice your winter sports skills, but if you're not into that, there are still plenty of things to do. Nearby you can find the Ben and Jerry factory and the Green Mountain Coffee museum. The area is also the number one maple sugaring spot in the entire country. Stowe has something to offer its visitors in every season. I recommend checking out their website at https://www.gostowe.com to find the perfect time of year to visit with your own family. I promise you won't be disappointed.

Also, try out Geoguessr https://geoguessr.com with your kids. It's a fun way to see the world from the comfort of your living room.

Greetings from Virus-land!

*I am sad to say that the entire family will be in this weekend. We are all too sick for adventuring.

Please check back on 2/1/18 for some fabulous things to do with your family.

PS. Both Central Park AND Bryant Park are having winter festivals this weekend.

Not What I expected from a "Simple Sponge"!

Who knew that a musical about the apocalypse could be so heartwarming and hilarious? I fully didn't expect this show to be one of the best that I have ever seen. Based on the hit cartoon that first aired on Nickelodeon in 1999, this show surely has mass appeal. Fans and non-fans alike will both be delighted by this party for your senses.

First of all, the set is AMAZING. It's colorful and cartoony, but not in a way that you'd expect it to be. We were awestruck from the second we saw the Palace Theatre stage and knew that we were about to see something extraordinary. The theatre truly transports you to Bikini Bottom, Spongebob's under the sea home, in the most magical of ways.

Right off the bat, you become part of his world. The entire show has an element of audience participation that is not overdone or forced, but that drives the plot and helps you to care about the sweet, lovable characters. Of course, there are all of the characters you'd expect, but NONE of them are wearing giant foamy costumes or big plush heads. They are actual humans that are so entirely animated, you find yourself forgetting they are real-life people. In fact, their energy is limitless throughout the entire 2 1/2 hour show. The cast is just perfection, and their costumes are spot on.

The music is my favorite part of the entire experience. The score was created by amazing artists such as Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith, Sara Bareilles, John Legend, and David Bowie. Be warned; there is no "bathroom break" song in this show. Each number is perfectly choreographed and not to be missed! We've all been singing these songs for days now.

I definitely do not want to spoil the show by detailing the plot for you, but all I can say is it will hit home for both children and adults. Bikini Bottom is threatened by a natural disaster, and this memorable cast of characters must save it or get out. The show manages to touch on some weighty topics without being too serious. The message it delivers, in the end, is one that both parents and their kids can appreciate.

All I can say is, go see this show with your family. We wound up getting our tickets a few weeks ago using the 2-for-1 deal offered for Broadway Week. That deal is currently running through February 4th with the code "BWAYWK". The show is also participating in Kids' Night on Broadway (February 27, 2018). For more details on Kids' Night and Spongebob Squarepants the Broadway Musical, check out the links below.

Weekend Fun 1.19.18

It's NYC Broadway Week from January 16th-February 4th. Get 2 for 1 tickets to some really great shows using the code "BWAYWK". We are checking out Spongebob the Musical with this great deal!

Today on Groupon, there are discounted tickets to Liberty Science Center! You can also get an additional $5 off using the code "off" at checkout.

This Saturday Grammy nominated family musician, Gustafer Yellowgold, will be performing at Symphony Space. Visit www.symphonyspace.org for tickets!

Ski Bunnies

Windham Mountain

Nothing gives me a greater winter thrill than watching 2/4ths of my family fly down a mountain.Since we will be bringing my son for his first try this year, I decided to check out the area's "learn to ski" options.

First up, Campgaw located in Mahwah, NJ. Campgaw is the most accessible place for us to get to for a few hours on the weekend or after school.This was my daughter's first place ever to try skiing.It is a smaller spot, but perfect for a family to visit.There are two chair lifts with 12 available runs and three magic carpet areas for kids to practice their "French fry/pizza" skills.They offer group lessons and privates that are both wonderful.You must reserve lessons ahead of time because it gets CRAZY crowded on the weekend.If you are renting equipment, make sure to give yourself at least an hour before your scheduled lesson.Prices for lessons range from $39-$89 depending on the age of the student.There is an additional charge for rentals and weekends are more expensive than weekdays.See their website below for all of the details.

If you're looking for more of a getaway situation, you could try Hunter Mountain or Windham (each about 2 hours from NY).Both have lovely lodging available as well.

Hunter offers 45 trails and 5 different lifts.This month they have a promotion for a free lift ticket with the purchase of a ski/snowboard lesson.Their ski school has their very own carpet lift, so students get the maximum amount of time on the slopes.There is also a dedicated rental area for the ski school so that you won't have a long wait for equipment.The group lessons are 2 hours long and include a daily lift ticket all for $85. There is also a full day option that consists of 4 hours of lessons, lunch, snack and a lift ticket for $125.

I love Windham.The town is super cute, and the lodge is beautiful.With more than 50 trails and over 12 lifts, there is something for everyone here.They offer lessons for kids ages 3 and up.Prices and times vary depending on the age of the child and type of experience, but packages start at $70.Their half day program includes instruction, indoor activities, and a snack!

Not really into any of this?All of these places offer really fun snow tubing options too!

Blue Cross Riverrink Winterfest- Philadelphia

This past weekend we visited a real-life winter wonderland. The Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest is the largest outdoor skating rink in Philadelphia. Unfortunately, the skating rink was badly damaged in Friday's big rainstorm, so it wasn't up and running for our visit.This should have been a HUGE upset to our weekend, but we were still able to have such a magical night.The winter park itself is beautifully lit and so cozy.There is a welcoming Lodge area that makes you feel like you are being transported to a toasty warm ski chalet out of the city.It has an adorable wrap around porch with rocking chairs and heat lamps that the kids enjoyed.Inside there are food and beverages (Chickie and Petes= YUM) for purchase as well as electric fireplaces, couches, gathering tables and some extra-large floor games to play.We just happened to be there for "Snowie Bowie" skate night, so there were free face painters as well.

The Kids Lodge is a smaller area with a lot of arcade games and coin-operated rides for the little ones.Pizza is available, and it was the perfect place for the kids to play and run around together.Apparently, they even host birthday parties!

Outside of both lodges, there is a whole warming area complete with fire pits and charming cabins for rent (make sure you reserve yours in advance as they book up fast).There is also a dessert stand where you can purchase s'more kits and hot chocolate.

The rink is open every day, including all holidays, until March 4, 2018. Check out their website for a complete list of events and daily activities.This upcoming weekend (Jan 20-21) is Brewfest at the lodge.It is sure to be an excellent time for everyone!

Sunday Funday 1.14.18

Mayers Consulting will be hosting an All-Ages Music Showcase this Sunday, January 14 at Rockwood Music Hall. There will be nine incredible family musicians performing between 12 pm and 4. It will surely be a feel-good, high energy party for everyone! Check out https://www.facebook.com/events/1705753622778463/ for more information.

The World is Yours (and you don't even need to leave home to see it!)

Winter is warming up around here, and we are getting excited about our February break! If you’re not exactly ready to get outside, Little Passports might be the perfect solution.

Little Passports: World Edition, is a monthly box subscription that is designed to turn your kids into world travelers. They will be thrilled when the first box arrives! Inside they will find a suitcase, passport, giant world map, stickers, photos and some activity sheets. They will also receive an adorable welcome letter from their new pen pal friends, Sam and Sofia. This message will explain how their journey began and how the entire adventure will go in the months to come. The program also comes with online game access, but we‘ve honestly never played them before.

Each month to follow, your child will receive packages from Sam and Sofia.Inside they will find a letter, souvenirs from the “country of the month”, stickers, photos and more online game options.We’ve been getting these packages for a while, and my daughter is still really psyched to find it in the mailbox.My favorite part is that it is guaranteed to spark a mini geography lesson for us when I don't always have the time to prepare one on my own.

This subscription was designed for the ages 6-10, but my three-year-old still really enjoys looking at it. He may be just about ready for the “Early Explorer” box the service offers.

Check out the Little Passport website for more information on their educational products.

If Geography isn’t your thing, maybe you’d like to try a Kiwi Crate subscription. We haven’t received one of these boxes in a long while, but this service puts together excellent science and art projects for your kiddies. Each “hands-on” project comes with all of the little pieces and equipment you may need. Apparently, this company has grown massively since we were members when my daughter was smaller. Their website now offers several subscriptions for kids, spanning the ages of 24 months to sixteen. I will definitely be checking it out for my family.

Disney on Ice: Reach for the Stars

I hired a guest blogger for the night. She lets me pay her with cookie dough and hugs, so it's a win/win for me!

"Hi! I'm Chloe, and I am taking over the blog tonight. We went to see Disney on Ice: Reach for the Stars at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ. It had pieces of a few of my favorite Disney Shows. Included were: The Little Mermaid, Tangled, Beauty and the Beast, and Frozen. Of course, Mickey and his friends were there too! The ice skating tricks were very good. It was so fun, and I loved it. It was a SPECTACULAR on ice! Bye."

The show will be moving from the Prudential Center to Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, NY for a January 10-14 run next weekend.There are also upcoming shows at Mohegan Sun (Wilkes Barre, PA) and the XL Center (Hartford, CT).Check out their website at the link below.

Snow Day Sugar Cookies (and more ways to enjoy the snow!)

Reading, measuring and mixing! This is a great way to spend the day.

Yeah, I know…No one is interested in destroying their healthy resolutions with baking the week after the holidays, but you may want to consider saving this sugar cookie recipe from theminimalistbaker.com (GREAT website) for future reference!It is just SO good.Even better? They are free of egg, dairy, and nuts!My son is allergic to all of that, so I love that he can enjoy eating and baking these with us.

Ingredients

½ cup of vegan butter (I use Fleichmans), softened

½ cup of organic cane sugar+ more to top

¼ cup brown sugar

¼ cup of pumpkin puree (They don’t taste “pumpkin-y” at all.)

1 tsp. of vanilla extract

1 ¾ cups of unbleached all-purpose flour + more for rolling into shapes

2)Dump in the rest of the ingredients. (To be clear, that is what I did.The real instructions say to do this in stages, but my cookies came out awesome anyway!)

3)Mix everything up until it gets “doughy.”If it looks too wet and sticky, add more flour.

4)Wrap the dough up in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least an hour.

5)Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.

6)Sprinkle flour all over the surface where you plan on rolling out your dough.Flatten the dough out with a floured rolling pin.When you feel it is reasonably thin enough, press out some shapes using cookie cutters.

8)Bake on the center rack for 8-10 minutes, or until the cookies are just a little golden brown.

9)Remove them from the oven, and let them cool on the pan for a few minutes before moving them to a cooling rack to completely cool.While you do this, you can make the icing.

For the icing, I just used powdered sugar with a small amount of water mixed it.You can use whatever you’d like though.Use a few drops of food coloring if you want to make it interesting.

We love making these cookies as much as we love to eat them.Hope your family loves them too!

Baking, not your thing??

Here are a few other things you can do to keep a snow day interesting.

*Make “snow paint” all you have to do is add food coloring to a spray/squirt bottle with water.Have fun shaking it up and spraying it all over the snow to make snowy art.

2) *It’s COLD out in NJ, but the kids still want to enjoy playing in the snow.Scoop some snow into a large Tupperware or foil container and let the kids play with the snow inside!I put some towels down on the tile and let them play in the “inside snow”.

3) * Make snow ice cream!This is kind of gross, but I let them do it anyway.I’ve never measured any of this, and it has always been fine.Just eyeball it!

Get a large bowl of (NEW) snow.

Slowly add milk (we use Flaxseed).Don’t add too much or it will be watery.

Sprinkle in no more than a ¼ cup of sugar.

1 tsp. of vanilla

Just mix it all up in a large bowl.If it gets too melted, just freeze it for a little while.

However you choose to spend the day, I hope you have a good one!

The Perfect Soundtrack for your New Year's Eve!

That's a wrap on 2017!

We kicked off the weekend at a "Noon" Year’s Eve party at Industry City, and what a great party it was! Brought to us by the good people at Rock and Roll Playhouse, Lucy Kalantari and the Jazz Cats performed such a fun show for kids and their families. If you are looking for the perfect end of the year song to share with your kids, check out “That’s a Wrap!” on Lucy’s website. https://www.lucykalantari.com

*Chloe's note- Lucy's show was great! I thought the props they had made the dancing so fun. Loved the parachute in the balloon song. Great job Lucy!

Happy New Year!

I ask A LOT of questions. I am sure it will annoy the crap out of my kids as they get older, but I am not planning on changing anytime soon. I decided to make a question game to play while we are out celebrating this year.

There are 60 questions below to cut and paste, print, and throw into a little bag. Take turns being the “interviewer” and make up whatever rules you feel like following. I hope you all have the happiest New Year with the ones who make your heart happy. WIshing you all the best in 2018!!!

What was your number 1 accomplishment this year?

What was the best thing that you ate in 2017?

What was your favorite book in 2017?

What was your favorite movie in 2017?

Did you make a new friend in 2017?

Who is the friend you’ve known the longest?

Describe 2017 in 3 words.

What was the best family moment of 2017?

What made you laugh the hardest this year?

If you could go anywhere in 2018, where would you go?

What do you like most about yourself?

What is your favorite food?

What makes you unique?

What do you want to be when you grow up?

What do you love to do with Mom?

What do you love to do with Dad?

What do you love to do with your brother/sister?

What is your favorite cereal?

What will you do differently in 2018?

What do you want to do again in 2018?

What is your favorite restaurant?

What is your favorite thing to wear?

What is the most exciting thing you learned this year?

What is the best part of being your age?

If you could be any animal, what would you be?

What do you love most about your brother/sister/mom/dad?

What is the nicest thing you did this year?

Tell us about the funniest thing that happened to you this year.

What will you be doing new year's eve 10 years from now?

Name two places we should go this year.

What is the grossest thing you ate this year?

What is your favorite tv show?

What is your least favorite school memory this year?

What is your best school memory this year?

What is your favorite holiday?

What is the best way to spend an afternoon?

What is your favorite season?

Describe yourself in one word.

What is your number one goal for next year?

If you could change your name, what would it be?

If you were in a crayon box, what color would you be? Why?

If you could be any super hero, who would you be?

If (Pet’s name) could speak, what would he say to you?

What is something you wonder about?

What is something you know?

What is the hardest thing you had to do this year?

What is your wish for 2018?

What wish came true in 2017?

What are you the best at?

What is your favorite fruit?

Why do/did you like to be a kid?

Who do you look up to?

What is your least favorite thing to do every day? (UGH, unload the dishwasher…just saying.)

If you could have any superpower, what would it be?

What is your spirit animal?

What makes you scared?

Who would you rather sit next to at lunch? A talking penguin or a singing giraffe?

If you ruled the world, what would it be like?

If you owned a story, what would you sell?

What makes you totally amazing?

#TBT Peepsfest- SteelStacks Bethlehem, PA

Peepsfest features a line up of performers and activities for the whole family.

#TBT- We’ve spent the past few New Years at the SteelStacks in Bethlehem, PA.Every year the Just Born company holds their annual Peepsfest that ends with the dropping of a GIANT (200 lb.) marshmallow peep on NYE.This year we are opting for an early dinner before going to a PJ party, but this event has become a favorite family memory.If you are interested in the schedule of events, just click the link below!

What the Elf was that???

Elfsters

Instead of following our tradition of seeing the Radio City Christmas Show this year, we decided to go to the Theatre at Madison Square Garden to see the musical based on our favorite holiday film, Elf. In case you aren’t familiar, that’s the one where a human is raised as an elf at the North Pole and decides to trek down to NYC (Bye Buddy, I hope you find your Dad!) to find his real dad while teaching everyone the meaning of Christmas.We were so excited to find out that George Wendt of Cheers would be playing Santa, and it turns out that he was the original Santa when the musical debuted back in 2010.

While I am so glad we went, I don’t know if I would want to see it again.I feel like it didn’t do a great job of capturing the humor and heartwarming feeling of the movie.Advertised as “family friendly”, I felt it to be more suited to families with older children and teens.My 3 year old would’ve been thrilled to leave at intermission, and he may be Buddy’s biggest fan.It was long, like too long.A lot of what was added and taken away from the script made no sense to me, and I found myself hyper-focusing on how they could fix it the entire time I was watching.

*Chloe’s Note- Elf was great, but it wasn’t like the movie.

*Dan’s Note- Of all of the shows we’ve seen at the theatre at Madison Square Garden, this was the most professional (waaaaay better than the Elmos and Paw Patrols).

*Brody’s Note- Oh sure but first I have to Snap Chat.

There you have it!!

Www.theshopforward.com 4 things tote= my favorite ❤️

Rolf's Bar and Restaurant

Rolf's - Where Christmas is EVERYWHERE

I can't feel ok about flashing back and not talking about last Christmas Eve. Dinner at Rolf's was just so cool. The food was good, service was "eh", but we didn't care because IT WAS STUNNING!!! There are literally lights EVERYWHERE. If you time it right, you can go to Gramercy Park to carol after (which was a total bucket list moment for me). Caroling starts at 6:00, and the park is open for just one hour. It's crowded but worth it. Don't forget to make reservations for Rolf's!

#FBF to the Holiday Train Show

NY Holiday Train Show

#FBF to the Holiday Train Show at the NY Botanical Garden.This has become one of my favorite holiday traditions.I never get sick of seeing what they come up with here.EVERYTHING in the display is made of plants.The scenes are of iconic NY landmarks and the detail is amazing.Everyone should do this at least once!You really won’t be disappointed.After, stop by Mario’s Restaurant on Arthur Avenue for the best food and service.Both places are best on a weeknight.

Christmas Light Fight

Dyker Heights Lights

We are obsessed with the Christmas Light Fight on ABC.So we decided to do our own version of it.Each weekend we’ve been stalking out the houses in our area that were on the show in order to pick out our own winner.The best news is that each of these houses collect donations for different organizations.So here is the breakdown of where we’ve visited so far.

ASA-provides services to people with Autism in all walks of life.Lights run from Dec 3rd- Jan 6thSunday-Thursday 6pm-10pmFriday-Saturday 6pm-11pm

This place is AMAZING.It is absolutely worth the ride to see it.It actually made me cry big mom tears.Watching the “Let it Go” light show was just amazing and what a GREAT cause!

2 2)The Sussin Family Light Show- 123 Patch Rd, Saugerties, NY 12477

To be honest, I can’t remember who they were collecting for because I was so distracted by how amazing this place was!Again, totally worth the ride.Plus, Saugerties is just the cutest little town.Go early and spend the day shopping on the Main St. and explore the Woodstock Museum if you get a chance to.

Lights run every night from Nov. 24 to Jan. 1, 5-10 p.m., weather permitting. Santa and Mrs. Claus can be seen Fridays and Saturdays from 5-8 p.m.

3) 3)Peckville, PA Christmas Lights- 1130 Marion street Peckville pa

We haven’t got out to see this house yet, but it is on my list!!Two brothers have a HUGE collection of Christmas décor.It looks amazing!

There are lots of other options for “light chasing” in the North Jersey area.You can check out the Turtleback Zoo’s display or head out to Sussex County for the Skyland Stadium lights.Both of these places can get very crowded. Try a Sunday night for a nicer experience.

My favorite place to light chase this year has been Dyker Heights, Brooklyn.We had so much fun wandering the streets where literally every house is decorated in an amazing way.There are a few standout houses, but I think it is worth parking and wandering until your legs are exhausted. (12th Ave & 84th St. Brooklyn, NY 1128 for GPS)

*Light Update

Peckville Christmas Houses 🏡

This house was MAGIC. It got 3/4 of the family vote for best overall display. There must've been 2,000 blow molds on the property. It isn't far from Kalahari Resort, so it's worth a side trip if you're going that way during the holidays. Check it out before January 7th to keep the "Christmas feels" for a little while longer.

Scuba Santa

Scuba Santa at Adventure Aquarium

Planning on seeing Santa this weekend? Maybe you already have! Either way, seeing Scuba Santa at the Adventure Aquarium in Camden, NJ is such a fun day trip. Leave early because this place gets super crowded.

Christmas Underwater runs until December 30th.Besides this being an awesome aquarium, they have a lot of cute “Christmasy” activities.New this year is the World's Tallest Underwater Christmas Tree.It is 18 feet tall and Scuba Santa has used his magic to decorate it with thousands of twinkling lights.If you aren’t into a soaking wet Santa photo, they also offer traditional, dry Santa photo options on the weekends.

My favorite part is the Snow Shower Dance Party.It is exactly what it sounds like, a holiday dance party as it snows inside the aquarium rotunda.